The Noisettes // Komedia

Photo by Nadia Lloyd

Don’t Upset the Rhythm!

London trio The Noisettes  returned to Brighton to play a sold out show downstairs at Komedia for their first gig in Brighton since 2007 when they were promoting debut album What’s the Time Mr Wolf? This time, they returned with a mixture of old and new songs from their upcoming second album.

Le Band Extraordinaire were amongst the local support bands that the Noisettes picked especially for the gig. The clarinet added a lot to the sound of Le Band Extraordinaire, which can only be described as some peculiar (but good) blend of old Englishness mixed with Mars Volta and Gogol Bordello.

The eagerly awaited Noisettes began their set with “Wild Young Hearts”, the title track of their new album which is a slightly different sound to anything previously done but was a brilliant introduction to a set full of new tracks to get excited about. Latest single “Don’t Upset the Rhythm” from the Mazda advert is such an addictive and funky tune and was great to dance to. Other new songs, such as ”24 Hours” and “Beat of My Heart”, were just as impressive.

Shingai (who wore glasses to mask her gammy eye infection) asked everyone to sit down for “Atticus”, a lovely acoustic track with an astounding performance by Shingai, who had the crowd’s full attention whilst she came off the stage to sing and walk around amongst the crowd.

Noisettes did play old favourites “Scratch Your Name”, “Don’t Give Up”, “Hierarchy” and “The Count of Monte Christo” from their first album, which was a treat for fans. Sadly, they didn’t play “Bridge to Canada” or “IWE” but the gig was so good that any disappointment from this was merely a momentary feeling.

We came out of the gig full of excitement for the new album and couldn’t believe how we had forgotten exactly how amazing Shingai’s voice is. Forget croaky Duffy, mockney Lily Allen and “I want to be in the Eighties but whoops can’t sing” La Roux; this is the British female voice everyone should be paying attention to. It was great to see them in such an intimate venue, with the same vivacious attitude but with a new sound. Catch them if you can.

“Don’t Upset the Rhythm” is out March 23rd.

“Wild Young Hearts” is out March 30th.

Words: The Mexican (Nadia Lloyd)